Vintage defeats Sonoma in softball rematch

The Lady Dragons played not one, not two, but six softball games last week – five spread over the two-day Napa Tournament, on Friday and Saturday.

But only one game really counted: Thursday, April 18, Sonoma Valley lost a heart-breaker to Vintage at Sonoma Valley High, when the Crushers, true to their word, homered twice to win 5-3.

Vintage leads the VVAL, in a tie with American Canyon, and going into Thursday game had a 5-2 record. The Lady Dragons record was barely above water at 4-3 in the league. But the Sonoma softball team has been playing well the past few weeks, as coach Mike Fanucchi said, and hoped to make a statement on their home turf.

“These girls are playing great softball,” said Fanucchi. “Every game is a battle for these Sonoma girls.”

Thursday’s game went scoreless for three and a half innings before Sonoma got two in the fourth, on a big home run to center field by Annie Neles with Ally Alcayaga aboard. That prompted Vintage pitcher Raimy Gamsby to bear down and strike out the next two batters, and it was a determined Crushers team that came to bat in the fifth.

With Kennedy Midgley pitching for Sonoma, Vintage got a runner all the way to second base on an error by third baseman Abby Alcayaga, and then it was the visiting team’s turn for a 2-run homer, from Taylor Brandt, to tie the score. A solo shot in the following inning from Morgan Groves put Vintage ahead, 3-2, and while Midgley overall kept the game in control, a third Vintage home run in the top of the seventh, from Sierra Crocker, made it 5-2.

But the Lady Dragons stayed determined. In their half of the seventh lead-off hitter Jayme Pearce opened the inning with a single to center. An out later she reached second when Jordyn Chiotti was hit by a pitch, finally scoring when Midgley singled to center.

The game ended an out later with the score still at 5-3, a disappointing way to end an exciting game.

“Sonoma was very strong and evenly matched with Vintage through five innings, then gave up a couple of home runs to give up the lead,” said Fanucchi. “They are in every game defensively, holding off these strong VVAL teams.”

When the Lady Dragons greet American Canyon on Tuesday, April 23, you can bet they won’t be taken for granted. Game time 4 p.m., at Sonoma Valley High.